The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has clarified that President Bola Tinubu's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, was not arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) affair.
In an official statement issued on Tuesday, the anti-corruption agency confirmed that Gbajabiamila voluntarily honoured an invitation from investigators at its Abuja headquarters on Monday, where he provided a statement as part of efforts to establish the facts surrounding the PFIPC controversy. According to the Commission, he cooperated fully with investigators and departed immediately after the session, dismissing widespread reports suggesting he had been arrested.
The ICPC emphasized that the visit formed part of its routine investigative process and reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a thorough, impartial, and evidence-based inquiry. The Commission noted that investigations remain ongoing and assured Nigerians that additional updates would be released as appropriate.
The investigation stems from the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), an organisation that operated publicly while claiming to be a federal government agency. The Presidency has since disowned the body, maintaining that no such agency exists under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
At the centre of the controversy is Adeniyi Adeyemi, who for several months publicly presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC. Adeyemi claimed that he received an appointment letter allegedly signed by or issued through the office of Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila. He also alleged that he paid substantial sums of money to secure the appointment.
Gbajabiamila has categorically denied the allegations, insisting that neither his office nor the Presidency appointed Adeyemi to any position. The Chief of Staff has described the claims as false and defamatory and has instituted a ₦15 billion defamation lawsuit against Adeyemi, arguing that the allegations have caused significant damage to his personal and professional reputation. Court filings further indicate that Adeyemi is facing separate criminal charges relating to alleged forgery, impersonation, and the use of forged presidential documents.
The PFIPC scandal has attracted nationwide attention after questions emerged over how the organisation allegedly secured office space within the Federal Secretariat, appeared in the 2026 federal budget, and operated in a manner similar to a legitimate government agency despite lacking any legal or executive backing. These revelations prompted President Tinubu to direct the ICPC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter and submit its findings within a specified timeframe.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have intensified their actions against Adeyemi. He was recently arrested following a court-issued warrant after failing to honour legal proceedings. Prosecutors accuse him of forging official government documents and falsely presenting himself as the head of a non-existent federal agency. Adeyemi, however, has continued to insist that his appointment was genuine and has maintained that he acted based on official communications he believed were authentic.
The ICPC has reiterated that its investigation is still in progress and that no conclusions have yet been reached regarding any individual connected to the case. By clarifying that Gbajabiamila's appearance before investigators was voluntary rather than an arrest, the Commission sought to correct public misconceptions while reaffirming its commitment to transparency, due process, and accountability.
As the investigation unfolds, the PFIPC controversy continues to raise broader questions about oversight within government institutions, the authenticity of public appointments, and the safeguards needed to prevent fraudulent entities from operating under the guise of official government agencies.
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